newbie here: changing strings

[drkillpatient21]

well ive been playing guitar for about a month now and my strings sound like crap, like th elife has been sucked out of them so i figure its time for a change. now, iv'e changed strings before but not on a guitar equiped with a floyd. ive been reading some guides on how to do it and all of them are different. some tell me to remove and install them 1 by 1, others tell me to block the trem and remove them all at once, im confused

[Rich]

If all you're doing is changing strings one at a time is without equal the easiest way to go. If you want to clean you fretboard, or actually do some setup work all strings off is usually the way to go, depends on exactly what you need to do.

[Rich]

Just don't forget to stretch the crap out of them!

[drkillpatient21]

so when i want to remove all of the strings to do a setup or something else, i must block the trem, but im just changing strings, 1 by 1 will work, correct?

[Rich]

Definately the easiest one by one.

[drkillpatient21]

ok i screwed this up somehow. the guitar wont stay in tune AND ive noticed the bridge is slanted slightly forward now(which i know isn't a good thing) when it used to be even with the body. heres what i did:


1)unlocked the nut
2)removed the low e by unwinding it from the post, then removed it from the bridge using allen key. removed string, inserted new one into bridge, locked string into bridge with allen key then wrapped it around the tuning peg. after it was tied and locked in, i throughly stretched the string.


i did this with every other string as well until all were tied and locked in. then i tuned the guitar to standard tuning with the machine heads, then locked the nut and tuned it again with the fine tuners on the bridge. thats when i noticed the bridge was screwed. i really wanna learn this myself and dont wanna have to take it to a tech(already did once, charged me $50 ) can someone give me some suggestions on what i can do here? id appreciate it.


thanks

[dex_ibanez]

after you replace one string you should have tuned it to pitch before you took out another one....instead of just placing the string there and tuning everything at once...

[BluewookieJim]

hey don't feel bad man, I've been playing Ibanez guitars with floating bridges since 88, and I still run into this problem once in a while, though it usually happens to me when I removing all of the strings to clean the neck or bridge.

Just be patient. and it will come to you. I use a bridge stopper that I made out of about 6 half popsicle sticks taped together. I've also seen plastic bottle caps and dominoes used as bridge stops.

[pawel]

Don't worry, i learned to deal with floyds by trial and error, and it took me a long time...After putting on a new string and streching it you should have roughly tuned it to pitch, also while tuning all the strings, remove slack from the low E downwards...To adjust the trem angle, remove the cavity cover and tighten the two screws...While doing this tune to pitch to get the angle right (i.e tighten screws, tune, tighten more, tune again...)...well, i'm nor good in exokaining things, so you'll be better looking at this: http://www.ibanezrules.com/tech.htm#Tuning (it has pictures too )

[hamand]

http://www.ultimateguitarpage.com/tips/change.html

this is the best page I've seen thus far.

[Scott 74]

For future reference block the trem, and change all the strings at once. Make sure when you block the trem you keep it at the proper angle as if there were strings still on the guitar. Then from there do a quick clean on the fretboard(make it a habit each time you change the strings). Make sure that you get up against the frets as well cause thats where alot of crud likes to build up over time. Once you finish put all six strings on(don't wind the strings yet until all six are on)
*note I'm doing mine with the ball ends on the headstock. Not cut off

Once all six are on then just tighten each string starting with the low E. Only tighten enough to get rid of the slack at first. Then from there start to get a rough tuning. Once you do that then fine tune all six. Once there all properly in tune then stretch the strings, retune, stretch, retune and so and so on. Personally I only have to pull on the strings about 4 or 5 times before they start to hold there tune. Another thing I also do that I don't think anyone has mentioned yet is leave the nut unlocked for at least 24hrs as to let the strings fully stretch, and settle.

I don't know if it's only me, but it seems from time to time your going to have to adjust the trem cavity screws to get your angle dead on so I wouldn't stress if after a string change your trem sits slightly high or just a little lower than usual. To me it's just the nature of having a double locking trem! Hope that helps

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Scott 74

Make sure when you block the trem you keep it at the proper angle as if there were strings still on the guitar.

Never leave the trem level like this. You may get away with it 10 times, you may get away with it 50, but sooner or later the trem will walk up the studs and pop off!

[Scott 74]

How should I do that part then? Is there a better way to block it without having to remove the trem, and not worry about it flying off? Thx

[drkillpatient21]

thanks for the help guys. question regarding the trem angle, if i decide to block the trem and remove all the strings at once, how much of angle should it be at? for example, should it be pushed forward enough to where its touching the body? or maybe not that far?

[Rich]

I block it at a really steep angle, take no chances, take no prisoners